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The Gearmonger Chronicles #1
Arcwatch
Tinkers are those who are sadistic enough to graft mechanical prosthetics to their bodies, replacing their limbs and organs so they could wield the war machines that were left behind by a now extinct race of mechanical beings known only as Gearmongers. Thode Stoolbottom is a professional delver and mid-rank Tinker. For years, he’s been eking out a living delving Gearmonger ruins. Since he was a teenager, it’s just been him and his gyroscopic automaton, who claims to be his dead grandfather, scavenging for new Gadgets to sell so they could make some quick coins. When one of the local tycoons offers him a chance that could pad his way into the innermost circles of Arcwatch, his home, he jumps on it without a second thought. However, a chance encounter with a thief and her bodyguard threatens to derail his golden ticket.
426 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 3, 2023
A fun sci fi/cyberpunk/steampunk ride!
I was pleasantly surprised with how the whole mashup or space and super high tech meshed with what was essentially steampunk. At least at the lower levels that’s what it feels like. As the series progresses then I’m sure we will get to see higher end tech that feels more true to sci fi. The progression using technological upgrades was definitely an interesting change from the more standard fantasy templates. As a long time player of RIFTS, I felt like I was watching as the people tried to become full conversion borgs. My only wish was that the MC would have bonded with some more gears before the end of the book. But there’s plenty to come, so I can’t wait to see how he progresses in the further books!
I was pleasantly surprised with how the whole mashup or space and super high tech meshed with what was essentially steampunk. At least at the lower levels that’s what it feels like. As the series progresses then I’m sure we will get to see higher end tech that feels more true to sci fi. The progression using technological upgrades was definitely an interesting change from the more standard fantasy templates. As a long time player of RIFTS, I felt like I was watching as the people tried to become full conversion borgs. My only wish was that the MC would have bonded with some more gears before the end of the book. But there’s plenty to come, so I can’t wait to see how he progresses in the further books!
December 5, 2023
Poor story telling
So I wanted to like this and it's and interesting world and magic system. Unfortunately it's totally plot driven with weak story archs. The characters are inconsistent at best and dialogue is extremely weak. Author also really pounds his protagonist into dust over and over again. I made it about 60 percent of the way and it was too much to keep reading.
So I wanted to like this and it's and interesting world and magic system. Unfortunately it's totally plot driven with weak story archs. The characters are inconsistent at best and dialogue is extremely weak. Author also really pounds his protagonist into dust over and over again. I made it about 60 percent of the way and it was too much to keep reading.
June 13, 2023
Another Banger
RJ Shoke has the most refreshing imagination of any authors writing in sci-fi/fantasy or any adjacent genre. It’s just so good. It’s new enough and also very familiar without being lame.
RJ Shoke has the most refreshing imagination of any authors writing in sci-fi/fantasy or any adjacent genre. It’s just so good. It’s new enough and also very familiar without being lame.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews